Menu Planning

The first step to saving money at the grocery store is to have a plan.We will be looking at the different ways to have a plan and how that can benefit both your level of stress AND your pocketbook.

I want to start with what I feel is the easiest step: the weekly meal plan. (Click here for ideas.) There are several ways you can do this, so feel free to tweak what I have done to best fit your family.

I like to do my grocery shopping Tuesday morning.Usually the shelves are stocked with fresh food after the weekend and most stores start their sales and promotions on Tuesday.To be prepared I make my menu for the week on Monday.

First I look at my calendar and see what is going on in the evenings for the week.Are we scheduled to eat somewhere else (church, parties, dinner invites, school fundraisers)?Do we need to leave early any night (sports, bible study, school or church events)?Are we busy in the evening before dinner with little time to prep (need a crock pot or pre-made dinner)?

I have found that even when I look at my calendar and plan around events and commitments we have, I still have at least one night a week that I don’t need dinner.We either have enough leftovers, end up having a late lunch/early dinner, or aren’t home one night.I plan this into my menu as well.

Then I plan what we will have for dinner each night.Make sure you include the main dish and any sides you want to serve.If you have salad one night, make enough for two nights and just pop it in the fridge for later in the week.The same works great for most side dishes: potatoes, rice, veggies, etc.)

If anything on your menu needs a recipe, put what book or source the recipe is from and the page number. This will make the evenings easier. You don't want to hunt for a recipe for 20 minutes after a long day.

Once you have the menu for the week completed go through each item and see what ingredients you will need for the week.This is a great way to save money because you don’t buy items you don’t need.I don’t know how many times I have been at a store and bought something (usually broth or soup) and arrived at home to find I already had 5 sitting in the pantry. I am also guilty of buying lots of fresh fruit and veggies only to have them go to waste in the bottom of my fridge because I didn't have a plan for them.

After going through all the meals and recipes you are using for the week, add the staples you will need for the week to your list.Things you always need like cereal, milk, bread, lunchmeat, fresh fruit, etc.

Then head to the store and ONLY buy what is on your list.Impulse purchases are the number one breaker of grocery budgets.If you don’t have a list and stick to it, impulse buying can account for 50-70% of your total grocery bill!